Syrian rights groups say at least 34 people were killed after security forces opened fire on a large group of demonstrators in Hama, a stronghold of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Activists said shooting broke out after Friday prayers in Hamas, which is about 300 kilometers north of Damascus. Witnesses said thousands of people […]
Wounded Yemeni President Yet to Appear in Public After Compound Attack
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 1:05 pm (UTC-5)
Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh has yet to appear in public after being wounded by rockets fired into the presidential compound in the capital, Sana’a. Yemen state media had said the president would address the nation Friday, just hours after the attack – evidently to refute a report aired by an opposition-controlled television station that […]
John Edwards Charged over Affair Cover-Up
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 1:00 pm (UTC-5)
A federal grand jury has indicted former U.S. Senator and 2008 presidential candidate John Edwards on charges he violated campaign finance laws by using political donations to hide an extramarital affair and resulting pregnancy. The indictment was filed Friday in Edwards’ home state of North Carolina. Edwards was charged on six counts — one count […]
UNAIDS: Global HIV Infection Rates Drop
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:45 pm (UTC-5)
The United Nations says a record number of people around the world are accessing HIV-AIDS treatment, and that the rates of new infections have fallen. In a report released Friday, UNAIDS said a record 1.4 million people began treatment last year. The head of UNAIDS, Michel Sidibe, said access to treatment will transform the response […]
Syria Death Toll Mounts in Protests
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
Syrian rights groups say at least 34 people were killed after security forces opened fire on a large group of demonstrators in Hama, a stronghold of opposition to President Bashar al-Assad’s government. Activists said shooting broke out after Friday prayers in Hamas, which is about 300 kilometers north of Damascus. Witnesses said thousands of people […]
Defiant Mladic Refuses to Offer a Plea to ‘Obnoxious’ Charges
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
The man known as the “Butcher of the Balkans”, Ratko Mladic, has made his first appearance before the U.N. war crimes tribunal at The Hague, but refused to enter a plea to what he said are “obnoxious” charges of genocide, war crimes and mass murder. Widows and mothers of the victims of the Bosnian war […]
Libyan Government Faces New Military, Diplomatic Pressure
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
The NATO bombardment of Libya continued Friday, even as new diplomatic efforts were seen in the effort to get leader Moammar Gadhafi to give up power. China says its ambassador to Qatar has met with the head of Libya’s rebel council, the first time China has revealed such contacts. Chinese officials said they stand by […]
US Stocks Fall
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:35 pm (UTC-5)
U.S. stock market indexes fell in Friday’s midday trading after some disappointing reports on the U.S. labor market. The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the S&P 500 were off by six-tenths of one percent while the NASDAQ slid seven-tenths of a percent. European stock markets were up at the close of trading. London’s Financial Times […]
Pope Heads to Croatia With Pro-EU Message
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:25 pm (UTC-5)
Pope Benedict travels to Croatia Saturday for a two-day visit where he will take part in religious celebrations and encourage the country’s entry into the European Union. After meeting with Croatian President Ivo Josipovic and Prime Minister Jadranka Kosor, the pope will take part in a number of religious celebrations, including the National Day for […]
Chinese Ministry: Environment in ‘Very Grave’ Condition
Posted June 3rd, 2011 at 12:20 pm (UTC-5)
China’s rapid economic growth comes with a high price, costing the country its environmental health. China’s Environment Ministry issued the warning in its annual assessment Friday, saying the country’s road to prosperity is still littered with pollution and a loss of biodiversity. The report found about one-sixth of China’s major rivers are so contaminated the […]
